Architects and their practices

de Martin Symes

Profound changes have occurred in architectural practice during the last twenty years; changes in the construction industry, in technology, in the role of the profession and the debate over design philosophies. Architects and their Practices, the outcome of an in-depth study, addresses the key aspects of the profession's response to change. Through a series of case studies, the book shows how a variety of architectural design firms have responded to these trends, and how the role changes involved have been viewed by some of the individual architects concerned. A wealth of new information can be found in the results of a questionnaire survey, covering the views of a statistically significant cross-section of partners in architectural firms. Some of these observations are brought together in the context of specific projects, drawn from the work of the case study firms. Through this analysis of recent experience, the authors seek to establish a framework for understanding future changes.